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Hi all

By way of background, strong overall academics (3 A*, RG LLB, and a LPC pass (meh)). Currently 23.

First round of apps in 2017. Completed a VS at one US firm in 2018, performed well, but not well enough to meet the trainee quota of 2.

Second round in 2018. Secured a VS at one top city firm and a mid tier national firm. At the same time, leveraging on my stock trading hobby during university, I secured a role at a IPO/Corporate finance house in the City, paying near NQ salary at an average city law firm. Given the nature of the job and the pay, I thought I am done with chasing my dream City TC. Therefore, I rejected my two VS that I was due to complete in 2019.

A year later, I have come to realise that I will never be truely satisfied until I qualify as a lawyer!

So, here I am, drafting my applications again. Lets see if I can bag a direct TC sooner or later.

I’ve worked on the IPO of one law firm and funnily enough I’ll now probably apply to them.

Best of luck all.

Hello all,

After some reflection post-application cycle, I realised that I might have approached the 'working experience' section incorrectly. I usually would write about my role including the duration and nature of the work, then would list the tasks performed in bullet points.

How do you do it? Would you mind sharing examples of how it should be done?

Has anyone done the Eversheds AC before and could provide some insight into the negotiation exercise and in-tray task? Any idea what type of transaction/task will the negotiation involve?

Thank you really appreciate it!

Can someone please provide me some insight into what a Simmons & Simmons video interview looks like (for their insight scheme). They said they will ask "competency, motivational and scenario questions" but I have heard a commercial awareness question has been asked before. Thanks

Hi All,

For our next round of courses, we're looking to get associates and partners involved in teaching you guys about different practice areas within a firm, the challenges facing the legal industry etc.

I'm keen on seeing if any of you have any recommendations - Have you been to a law firm event or open day and found a talk particularly useful? If so, it would be great if you could post below and I'll contact them!

Thanks,

Jaysen

So I am out of this cycle bar one application that I haven't heard back from. I think that i applied too soon (2nd year) I feel that i'm ready in every aspect except interviews. I'm gutted that I applied to firms that I really wanted that dont re interview.

I think I struggle most with the unexpected questions and I struggle to think clearly and quickly in interviews in a way that I don't in exams.

Has anyone been is this position and overcome it, and if so how?

Repeated feedback:
Not being confident and second guessing myself.
Not answering some particular things in enough detail or precisely, when they thought I knew the answer but I never expressed it.

Hi All

I came across this article today when I was on the Law Society's website...

https://www.lawsociety.org.uk/news/press-releases/diversity-scheme-opens-door-for-talented-trainees/

They are offering bursaries and work experience for up to ten eligible candidates.

Worth applying if you meet the criteria!

Hi Guys! I know this forum is more about applications but I am hoping there are some LPC students or past LPC students who can give me some help as I am really struggling.

I started the LPC in January at ULaw and I prior to the workshops I do all the reading etc but I just feel nothing is really making sense or "going in". I feel completely out of my depth with all the content. It is not particularly difficult to understand - the bit I am struggling with is if the way am going about it is efficient?

So for those studying or have studied the LPC how did you prepare for workshops/exams?

In the US, these are generally prime rates, which tend to skew towards the fed rates, but how does it work globally and in the UK?
LIBOR refers to interbank lending, but which benchmark is used when the banks give out loans to PE funds and the sort? Is it the BoE rates?

Hi Guys!

I don't know if any of you are/have been in the situation where you have started applying late in the TC cycle but I'd just like to address it and if anyone can relate, please do! I've currently been in full time therapy for external reasons which in themselves can take a massive toll on me so I just decided to leave applying till I'm actually ready to produce good applications.

It is extremely stressful for a number of reasons but the main reasons for me are that a lot of deadlines have already passed and also the stress of rushing to put an application together.

To deal with this, I have selected firms I already know quite well as well as firms that have their deadlines quite late in the year. How would you deal with a situation like this?

Hi everyone

I haven't seen anything about Womble Bond Dickinson for this year so far. Part of the application is this 800 word 'personal statement' and I have no idea how to go about answering it.

'Which of our current clients would you be most excited to work with and why? How could you add value to the relationship as a Trainee Solicitor?'

I've researched their clients but would it be sensible to maybe choose one based on my previous experiences with similar clients? I am struggling with how to approach this and don't understand how I could possibly write 800 words...

Any suggestions will be hugely appreciated! Thank you.

Does anyone have any information or tips for a vacation scheme interview at Stevens & Bolton?
This will be my first interview so not too sure what to expect!! Thanks

Has anyone gone through a Mayer Brown AC? I have one coming up and I have no idea what to expect (especially in terms of the group discussion and fact finding exercise) - Any advice would be so appreciated!

Hi everyone!

I will have to conduct an individual presentation soon (5 minutes long followed by a 5 minute Q&A). This can be in any format I prefer, e.g. digital or not. The topic will not be legal, but related to current issues in the news.

Has anyone ever had to prepare a presentation in advance for an interview? This is for a US firm.

Or does anyone have some more general tips about presentations for interviews? E.g. what aspects to cover, how to structure it, what stance to take, what information to include? How to introduce/conclude? What to expect from the Q&A?

This will be my first time doing this, so I am keen for any advice at all.

Many thanks in advance!

The email I received for the invite stated that it would be a commercially-focused interview testing my commercial knowledge. I have a finimize subscription and read the commercial updates posted on the forums here at Corporate Law Academy. But are there any specifics stories that you think I should research up on or any concepts in business I should look over? What should I expect? Any advice in general would be very much appreciated

Hello, I was wondering if anyone had any concrete advice on looking professional and put together at law firms? I was wondering if dyed hair (eg: blonde dip dyes on an Asian woman) would be okay? This is as back home it was unacceptable to have any radically different coloured hair. Additionally, for make up, would winged eyeliner be alright etc. I was just asking for general feedback and advice. Thank you!

This is one of the questions for Weil's fast track scheme:

Think of a current commercial issue that has recently attracted your attention. Why does it interest you, why do you consider it to be significant and how do you think this will impact Weil’s clients? (300)

Struggling on how to answer the question so would be great if anyone can advise me. Thanks

Hi everyone,

I wanted to ask how a swiss verein structure can benefit trainee solicitors

I am currently applying to Dentons and Baker Mckenzie and I know that both firms have a strong international presence, but I am struggling how to link it to training opportunities or other benefits.

Hi all,

Does anyone have tips to do well in negotiations?

When discussing multiple issues, I often notice that the timing is running out and even though we're all aware, we have difficulty moving on to cover all issues. In this case, is it better to briefly discuss all points/issues but end up being vague or focus on a few issues to reach a definitive conclusion for those?

Also, what is a polite way of saying 'I'll give you X if you give us Y concessions'? I want to present myself as being confident without sounding forceful or arrogant.

Thanks

Hi guys,

I'm doing a DWF assessment centre in a couple of weeks and they have stated they will be doing:
- A group presentation to test commercial awareness;
- A pannel interview; and
- A proof-reading exercise.

Does anyone have any tips on how to prepare? Especially anyone whos has an AC with DWF?

Thanks

I just got an offer from DLA Piper for their spring insight scheme, so I'm pretty happy. However, I'm in a bit of a pickle since the dates are right between the Easter holidays. This means that I'd either have to spend more than a week in London all by myself and without my family (uni friends are going home over the holidays too) OR buy plane tickets to go back to my home country, then back to London, then back to my country again.

I sincerely doubt they would cover these expenses. What should I do? I can't possibly turn the scheme down, can I?

Also, is it worth applying to Freshfields anymore considering that their schemes overlap by a day (DLA is 6-8 April, Freshfields is 8-9 April)?

Hey everyone,

Does anyone have any advice on the Penningtons AC, I have mine next week and haven’t heard anything about what it encompasses. I know this is their last AC, so does anyone who has had the AC have any advice please?

Thank you!!

Has anyone else applied for their March open day?

Not heard anything back yet. Anyone know how much warning we get?

Has anyone else applied for the Kirkland & Ellis open day for March 2020?

I've not heard back yet

Hey guys,

Pretty sure I messed up my interview but wanted to help you guys out nevertheless....

Here are the Qs I was asked:

1) When have you disagreed with a group decision? How did you move forward?
- This was pretty hard for me as I often agree with people as most of the people I surround myself are either likeminded or are very convincing.
- I spoke about how my sub-editors of the student newspaper disagreed with my expansion strategy but i don't think i phrased it very well.

2) How have you demonstrated a work ethic?
- I explained how my tutoring business requires me to take initiative, be patient, juggle several clients and also have a strong understanding of my client.
-HOWEVER, i wish i spoke about balancing 2 part time jobs alongside university *sobs* and the skills i demonstrated doing this.

3) How have I approached a problem I couldn't solve?
- I spoke too much about the specifics rather than my strategy here.

4) How would I sell the firm to a client within the BLS?
- This went OK.